D_it_up

...are those people (media and average joes alike) that keep saying that the Saints haven't beaten anyone and they are using this game against the Patriots to see where they truly rank. I'm calling major B.S. It's funny how short some people's memories are when it comes to an NFL season. Let's reminisce a little on the Saints' path to 10-0:

1. Week 2, Saints defeat the Eagles: The Eagles are always in the spotlight as being perennial playoff contenders. The Saints went to Philly and dominated them from the start winning 48-22. The excuses came that Donovan McNabb did not play. Must it be restated that McNabb doesn't play defense? One playoff contender down.

2. Week 4, Saints defeat the Jets: The Jets were coming in as one of the top teams spoken about in the media. They were 3-0, Mark Sanchez was not looking much like a rookie, and their defense was considered Top 5. This game was being hyped as a battle of undefeated teams, but most were choosing the Jets. The Jets defense held up their end of the bargain, but Mark Sanchez was exposed. The Saints won 24-10, largely in part from two defensive scores which proved their defense can play with anyone. Another media playoff contender bit the dust.

3. Week 6, Saints defeat the Giants: Another battle of undefeated teams. The Giants were steamrolling competition coming into their trip to the Dome against the Saints. The Saints were doing the same and coming off of a bye week. The Giants offense and defense were exposed against a great team losing badly, 48-27. Another playoff contender goes down at the hands of the Saints.

4. Week 7, Saints rally to defeat the Dolphins: The media was all over the Dolphins saying that the Saints wouldn't be able to shut down the Wildcat. Well, they did...emphatically. After their slow start, the offense battled back and took the lead to win the game by double-digits, 46-34. Miami was coming off an 11-5 season and winning the AFC East. Another pre-season media playoff darling falls to the Saints.

5. Week 8, Saints rally again to defeat conference rival Falcons on Monday Night Football: The Falcons were preseason picks by many to compete with the Panthers for the NFC North crown. The media loves Matt Ryan and have pretty much adorned him The Next Big Thing at the QB position. The Falcons gave the Saints all they could handle, but once again the Saints prevailed to move to 7-0 on the season by winning 35-27; their first game won by less than double digits. Yet again, another media darling cannot stop the Saints.

6. Week 9, Saints defense stiffens up to rally and hang on to beat Carolina: The Panthers are another perennial preseason media playoff darling. They came in with a purpose early on and scored quickly. However, the Saints showed their resiliency, found their mojo, and came back from behind in their third straight game to win, 30-20.

That is six different scenarios were the Saints beat playoff caliber teams. The other four games were against teams with a combined record of 7-34. The six teams they beat that were on many "experts" preseason picks for the playoffs are a combined 30-30 and still have shots to make the playoffs, though a couple of them are on the bubble. Six teams. That is 60% of their current schedule that many thought would be in the playoffs the Saints have defeated. 10-0 and they still do not get much respect. They have sustained injuries to several key people and still have gone on to defeat everyone that stood in their way. What is going to happen when the Saints beat the Patriots? Will they finally get the respect they deserve for this season or will people still come up with excuses for why a team lost to them?

dizzle88

I couldn't agree more, and let us not forget that the giants were ranked number one in pass defense and we torched them. Everyone was getting on the bandwagon for the Jets when sanchez won their first 3, D sharp led the way in week 4. We never get the credit we deserve, so lets go shut down brady, let him look at the referees for any calls he can try and influence. GET READY FOR MONDAY NIGHT!!

saintsfan1976

D it up; I love your passion. But frankly, all of the previous wins won't matter when the ball kicks off Monday Night. This team must (again) prove itself by beating another tough opponent. An opponent who is regarded as the upper echelon of the NFL (rightfully so).

Yes this is indeed the best Saints team in history but it's still a team that in relation to other winning franchises still has to show that they can beat the big boys.

Know how to make it go away? Knock 'em the **** out!!!

9thWardDesire

Man, it seems like every Jane Doe and Joe Blow wants the Saints to remain the "Aints" (or the "Bourbon Street Katrinas") so they can pump up the so-called 'popular' teams. First of all, I remember the Patriots as an 'OK' team, at best. I also remember the Falcons and Buccaneers being doormats, as well. Until they started doing something - i.e., having a squad - every Tom, Dick and ESPN was "D-Rolling" them. When teams like the Saints are starting to come up, even with a unbeaten record, the Black 'N Gold is still looked at as a 'Lucky Team' whose riding on a wing and a prayer instead of working hard for those victories. We finished last place at 8-8 last season in a division where every team finished .500 or better, with half a team. HALF A TEAM!!! Now, that we have most of the team together, look at the result: 10 consecutive, hard earned wins. Yet, the so-called experts is STILL looking at us the same way they (and the good folks over in Ann Arbor) looked at Appalachian State when the rolled into "The Big House" before Michigan, their fans (and the talking heads) found themselves in for a rude awakening. I know, after this game, somebody is gonna be pullin' their hair, tossin' a chair, fussin'/Kickin' the TV, screamin' and cussin'........it "AINT" gonna be us!! In the end, that Lombardi WILL be sitting in a glass case on Airline Drive.

"We got a long way to go, we got a lot of work to do. We're close, and close don't mean +!#$!! You can put that on TV for me..." - Jim Mora

acekilla89

i say just let them hate.

turbo_dog

Great analysis D. I don't mind having the team be 'disrespected', or 'under the radar', or 'underdogs', or whatever else. It just gives them more motivation to prove people wrong. Let's be honest, if they win the big one, nobody will pick against them next year.

9thWardDesire

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RealDeal37

Ur absolutely right bro, enough with all tha yap'n & toungue flip'n... Action speak louder than word's & tha SAINT'Z will volunter 2 show tha world come Monday night... Like u said, (Knock'em Tha $$$$ Out!!!)
~Geaux Saint'z~ 11-0

CheramieIII

Let'um hate. It's fuel for the fire boys, fuel for the fire! All Saints players take notice. If you don't come out with a chip on your shoulder Monday night and wanna punch somebody in the mouth then stay your arse in the locker room. It's time for pain, lots of pain. It's time for a good ole cajun arse whippin like my Daddy used to give me with that 2X4. Knock'um the f*&% out! Hit them in the mouth and don't stop until they bleed to death. Everyone get my point. roflmao. Damn I was channeling Tyson there for a second.

Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.
Jimmy Demaret

arsaint

This is some of the same crap we were hearing before we went to Philly (the Saints have only beaten the Lions and gave up 27 points).

Also heard this before the 3-0 Jets came to town (Saints have beaten two bad teams and Eagles without McNabb).

Also heard this before 5-0 Giants (Saints have only played rookie QBs).

Also heard this before Falcons and Panthers (have not faced a good rushing team with veteran QB).


And we're hearing it again now...


I say that if Saints hang on to the ball, no way they lose this game!